The Member of Parliament for Subin, Eugene Boakye Antwi, has voiced strong criticism over the decision to keep Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in office, citing it as a major reason behind the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2022 general election.
In a recent statement, Antwi noted that the party’s failure to heed calls for Ofori-Atta’s removal, despite significant public discontent with his economic management, resulted in voter alienation and widespread apathy.
Antwi pointed out that a group of 90 NPP MPs had urged President Akufo-Addo to dismiss Ofori-Atta, highlighting his poor handling of the country’s finances. Nevertheless, the Finance Minister remained in his position until February 2024, a move Antwi claims significantly damaged voter trust in the NPP.
“Keeping Ken Ofori-Atta at the post until February 2024 meant that we were not listening to the very people who voted for us, and therefore, we didn’t deserve their vote in 2024,” Antwi said. “The electorate has punished us severely and taught the NPP a bitter lesson.”
Antwi pointed out the notable voter apathy during the elections, revealing that nearly one-third of registered voters—about 6 million people—opted not to cast their ballots. He attributes this to the government’s inability to address the economic struggles many Ghanaians endured under Ofori-Atta’s leadership.
“Nearly a third of registered voters stayed away from the polls because of apathy. This serves as a powerful reminder that leaders must be attuned to the needs of the people, or they risk losing their engagement in the political process,” he added.
The statement comes at a time of increasing discontent within the NPP and calls for a reassessment of its leadership in preparation for the 2024 elections.
Antwi’s comments highlight the widening gap between the party’s leadership and the electorate, with many wondering if the NPP can bounce back from its recent defeats and rebuild the trust of the Ghanaian people.
